is it worth getting a DOCSIS 3 cable modem for premium cable internet service?

Solution 1:

Call up your ISP and ask if you're hooked up to DOCSIS3 backbone. If not, there will be almost no gain, speed-wise. You might get a little better stability and reliability, if you get a good modem (but that would be true for a good 2.0 modem, too). Even if you are connected to the DOCSIS3 infrastructure, you might get nothing out of a new modem. DOCSIS2 supports speeds up to 38/50 Mbps (US/Eur), so if you're paying for a slower connection (say 20Mbps), there's really no point. If you're paying for something near the upper limit (35Mbps), you probably will more often approach your maximum speed (if the network is managed properly).